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John Byington
John Byington was the first president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In 1852, he read a copy of the Review and he started to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. For three years he arranged Sabbath meetings at his house, then he built and owned a church building on his property. This is said to have been the first Seventh-day Adventist-built church. In a nearby home his daughter, Martha taught what is thought to be the first Adventist elementary school. -
James Springer White
James Springer White was the co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and husband of Ellen G. White. In 1849 he started the first Sabbatarian Adventist periodical. He later played a major role in the development of the Adventist James White was born on August 4, 1821 in the township of Palmyra in Maine. Out of five children, James was a sickly child who suffered fits and seizures. Poor eyesight prevented him from obtaining much education and he was required to work on the family farm. -
John Nevins Andrews
Born in Poland, Maine in 1829, Andrews began to observe the seventh-day Sabbath in 1845. He was convinved at the age of 17 that Jesus was returning soon. He played a vital role in the establishment of Adventist theology. One of his memorable achievements in Adventist prophetic interpretation, was identifying the two-horned beast of Revelation as the United States of America. Andrews University in Michigan, was named after him in 1960, as well as John Nevins Andrews School. -
James Springer White
James White's education of less than 12 months did not prevent him from obtaining a teaching certificate and teaching elementary school for a short time. White was baptized at age 16 and in 1843 was ordained as a minister. Due to his mother's influence he seriously evaluated the Millerite message of Christ's soon return, and became a Millerite preacher, leading 1000 people to conversion.
James began to publish his writings in 1849. The passing of the time in October 1844 tested his faith. -
George Ide Butler
George Ide Butler was a Seventh-day Adventist minister, administrator, and author.Butler's parents were very involved in the beginnings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but George expressed feelings of doubt. George was converted at age 22 and was baptized by J.N. Andrews.He then settled on a farm and taught school during the winter months. On March 10, 1859 he married Lentha Lockwood. They afterward settled near Waukon, Iowa, where Butler resumed his teachings. -
James Springer White
After Ellen Harmon's vision in December showing God leading the Advent Movement, James became associated with her and another lady traveling to relate Ellen's visions. Law indicated that he should not travel with a single woman, and being convinced of her prophetic gift, he decided God wanted them to marry, so they did on August 1846. They were very poor with no home of their own, but continued to travel and speak, James supporting her prophetic mission, printed her messages. -
George Ide Butler
James White served a total of 10 years as president of the GC at various times. His vision and executive abilities drove him to overwork, and in 1865 he suffered his first of several strokes that affected his health and effectiveness for the rest of his life. He invested tens of thousands of his own money in building up the church's institutions. Ellen often urged him to find others to lighten his work load, but he found it hard to accept and to find men who could do the job.
